l8o WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



morning, and it was a questionable affair whether we 

 should pass the forenoon in the warren, or shoot a spillet 

 on the banks, when the conclave was dissolved by one 

 of those incidental alarms that diversify the rustic 

 monotony of our commonplace existence. The spring- 

 tide had left the channel nearly dry, and except in some 

 deep pools, the water was but ankle-deep. Into one 

 of these an unlucky seal had been seduced in pursuit 

 of a salmon, and his retreat was cut off before he was 

 aware that his ill-timed chasse would cause his ruin. 

 On his being discovered, a host of cockle-gatherers 

 formed across the neck of the hole, while a breathless 

 courier brought the tidings to the Lodge. Instantly 

 all was bustle ; a salmon-net was procured, and the whole 

 of the *' Dramatis Personae," even to the Colonel and the 

 Priest, were speedily armed with divers and deadly 

 implements. Old Antony had hobbled off at the first 

 alarm, and, by the prudent plan of taking time by the 

 forelock, managed to be the first man at the scene of 

 action. It was a deep and rather an extensive pool, 

 and the unfortunate seal absconded to the place most 

 likely to afford concealment till the flood-tide should 

 liberate him from the hand of his enemies. But, alas ! 

 they were many and malignant ; and, driven from his 

 deepest and last retreat, to avoid being meshed in the 

 net, he was forced upon the shoal, when an otter- 

 spear, struck to the socket of the grains by the vigorous 

 arm of Hennessey, killed him without a struggle. When 

 the net was brought ashore, the moiety of a large salmon 

 remained in the meshes, and told the errand which in- 

 duced the defunct seal to commit himself to the faithless 

 shoals which proved so fatal to him. 



This is, indeed, a day of incidents. Dinner was just 



